Student theses

We offer Bachelor's and Master's theses as well as research internships. Projects are drawn directly from our ongoing work on the optogenetic control of enzymes. Students work independently on a clearly defined question and gain experience in molecular biology, protein biochemistry and enzyme kinetics.

Topic for a Master's thesis: A selection system for light-switchable kinase variants

Whether an inserted LOV domain renders a kinase light-dependent depends critically on the insertion site, which is difficult to predict rationally. This project aims to establish and validate a selection system in E. coli that allows libraries of insertion variants to be screened in parallel for light-dependent activity.

Methods: library construction, cloning, selection under light and dark conditions, activity assays.

Topic for a Bachelor's thesis: Characterisation of LOV-kinase fusions

Selected insertion variants of the tyrosine kinase Abl will be expressed heterologously, purified, and compared with respect to their activity in the illuminated and the dark state.

Methods: expression in E. coli, protein purification, activity assays, spectroscopic characterisation.

Interested?

If one of these projects, or our work in general, appeals to you, please contact susanne.brakmann@tu-dortmund.de .